Tha Chang Pier—Bangkok, Thailand. - Ferries and Ferry Landings on Waymarking.com

The mighty Chao Phraya River winds its way south from its origin in central Thailand, almost 400kms north of Bangkok. Along the way its alluvial fertility creates an agricultural rice bowl, which feeds the vast numbers who live in the teeming metropolis of Krung Thep (Bangkok), and also making Thailand the leading exporter of rice to the world.

Along the Bangkok stretch of this river, from the river mouth on the Gulf of Thailand, to the provincial capital of Nonthaburi 40kms to the north, there are an innumerable number of small piers, where ferry boats of all shapes and sizes: some private, some not, some carrying tourists, some carrying giggling school children, dock and discharge and continually take on new passengers. Always busy, always entertaining. This pier is one of these. Number Nine, Tha Chang.

At the pier there is a line of street vendors ready to sell you almost anything, hordes of people milling about, outside tuk tuk and motor bike drivers noisily asking for your fare. All great fun.

The routes taken by these ferries has always been a mystery to me (as is the fare structure). Sometimes they veer across the river to the opposite shore and back again, in a continual zig-zag. Sometimes they adhere, studiously, to one side of the river from start to finish. It all adds to the mystery of the trip. Usually, the woman (it is always a woman) taking your fare will have minimal English, so her 'yes' to your question of direction is not normally that helpful. However, there are nearly always at least a few, female Thai uni students on board these boats, so for various reasons you can start a conversation with these, by asking for directions, and help them with their English. One way or another you will be told where to go.

Body of water served: Chao Phraya River. Places served: Wat Arun pier, Wat Rakhang pier, etc. Terminal / landing address: Thanon Na Phra Lan Bangkok, Bangkok Thailand. Seasonal: no Hours of operation (non-scheduled ferry service): From: 12:00 AM To: 12:00 AM Dining room / cafeteria: yes Gift shop: yes

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/15/2014 Torgut visited it